Now that we're getting into the second half of August, it's the the time of year when we really start to monitor the far eastern Atlantic for budding tropical waves that could potentially develop into tropical storms or hurricanes.

Now that we're getting into the second half of August, it's the the time of year when we really start to monitor the far eastern Atlantic for budding tropical waves that could potentially develop into tropical storms or hurricanes.

Authorities are investigating after a dead dog was left in a box outside of a Lee County Sheriff's Office substation.

According to an incident report, a secretary for the Lee County Sheriff's Office west district substation off Pine Ridge Road pulled into the parking lot and saw a large box sitting in front of the entrance doors on Wednesday morning.

A sergeant went outside to inspect and opened the box to find a large breed dog that was dead.

The report says an American flag, large rope and a plastic food wrapper were also found inside. The box was made out of insulation board and duct tape, according to the report.

Animal control discovered the animal was a spayed female without an ID chip.

"Not only is it odd - it's tragic," said LCSO Lt. Jeff Dektas. "You just don't expect to find these things - that people would abuse animals in that fashion."

The dog is being sent to have a necropsy and LCSO is investigating this as a criminal case.